On September 3, 2026, American Airlines Flight 618, a Boeing 737-800 flying from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) due to an unruly first-class passenger.
The passenger became belligerent, shouted slurs, assaulted a neighbor, and bit a retired police officer who intervened. Assisted by flight attendants who provided flexible restraints and duct tape, passengers bound the man to his seat. A traveler sat on his lap for 15 minutes during descent. The flight landed safely at BWI at approximately 22:15 local time, where police arrested the suspect. The flight then proceeded to Newark.
